Expanding energy cooperation between Russia and Greece dominated talks
here on Monday between visiting Greek Premier Costas Karamanlis and
Russian President Vladimir Putin, as the two leaders' meeting also
reportedly touched on the thorny Kosovo issue.

In statements after the more than one-hour meeting, both leaders said
the expansion of already burgeoning energy cooperation between the two
countries substantially benefits Europe's energy sufficiency and
security, with particular mention to a finalised three-nation pact
(Russia, Bulgaria and Greece) to construct the Burgas-Alexandroupolis
oil pipeline and proposals for the "Southstream" natgas pipeline
linking Russian gas reserves with SE Europe.

Putin, in fact, said a protocol signed earlier in the day in Moscow --
establishing an international company by the three sides to build the
Burgas-Alexandroupolis line -- is the next-to-last step for
constructing the pipeline.

Military cooperation was also discussed, with Karamanlis directly
referring to the purchase of 420 Russian-made armoured vehicles,
whereas Putin said there is "no restriction" on the development of
bilateral defence cooperation with Greece, including an i nterest to
proceed with joint weapons production on Russian soil.

Int'l developments

In response to a press question regarding ostensible "criticism" of
close Greece-Russia ties by EU civil servants -- the reporter's words
-- Putin merely noted that domestic issues have dominated his attention
of late, with no time to "deal with the state ments of respectable
functionaries of Brussels."

Moreover, he said EU-Russia relations are moving along "not so badly",
while the Russian leader expressed hope that a long-term agreement with
the Union will soon be concluded.

Beyond Moscow's ties with the Union, Putin said he discussed the Kosovo
issue and the Cyprus problem with the Greek leader, underlining that
their views were similar.

As per Greek-Russian relations, in particular, Putin said they are not
restricted to merely the energy sector, but involve several other
fields, adding that "certain (parties) don't delve deeply enough into
the nature of this relationship".

On his part, Karamanlis reminded that Greece is a European nation that
operates within the framework of the European Union, adding however,
"that our bilateral relations revolve on the basis of national
interests".

Asked about the Southstream project, Karamanlis said experts on both
sides are examining its feasibility prospects, with predictions
impossible at present.

Turning to other matters, the Greek premier said Athens was ready to
assist the Sochi 2014 Winter Games organisers and preparations, with
Greece-based contractors also eager to win Olympics-related projects.

Along those lines, he proposed that the Olympic year 2014 be declared
"Year of Russia" in Greece, concurrently, "Year of Greece" in Russia,
an idea that was accepted by the Russian side.

In a reference to the ongoing year-long series of events showcasing the
Russian language in the country, Karamanlis said a promise he made to
the Russian leader in 2004, namely, the establishment of a Slavic
studies department at the University of Athens,
is nearing fulfillment.

"In fact, as of the next academic year, a pilot programme for the
teaching of the Russian language will begin in certain (Greek)
secondary schools," Karamanlis stressed.

Greek prime minister Costas Karamanlis had a half-hour meeting on
Tuesday morning with Russian president Vladimir Putin, in the context
of a three-day official visit to Russia at Putin's invitation.

Karamanlis arrived in Moscow on Monday evening.

Greeting Karamanlis before their discussion, Putin noted that this was
their fifth meeting, adding that each of the preceding meetings had
been a success and expressing his conviction that this meeting, too,
would be constructive.

Putin praised Greece's contribution to Russia-EU relations, stressing
also that bilateral relations between the two countries were at a very
good level.

Karamanlis, in turn, said that the historic ties of friendship between
the two countries were further reinforced by their cooperation in the
energy sector, which he said had positive effects not only on the two
countries, but also on the wider region.

The Greek prime minister described Russia as a "partner of strategic
importance", adding that Tuesday's meeting would contribute to further
development of their cooperation.

Earlier, Karamanlis was received by Patriarch Alexios II of Moscow and
All Russia, who noted that the Greeks and Russians were brother peoples
with the shared heritage of Orthodoxy.

Alexios said that the Orthodox Church of Russia had excellent relations
with the Church of Greece, and expressed sadness over Archbishop
Christodoulos' ailing health, adding that "we pray that he will
overcome this difficulty".

The Patriarch also noted the Greek prime minister's frequent visits to
Russia, expressing conviction that the broadening of relations between
the two peoples will continue.

In reply, Karamanlis noted the important role the Patriarch has played
in strengthening the Orthodox faith, noting that the historical and
spiritual bonds between the two peoples went back many centuries,
beginning from Byzantium, with the Ecumenical Patr iarchate, the mother
church of both Churches, serving as a link.

Karamanlis said that Christianity, and Orthodoxy in particular, could
play a very significant role in protection of the human personality and
moral values, adding that understanding, consensus and cooperation
among the Christian Orthodox Churches was nece ssary today more than
ever, and expressing hope that the Churches will continue their
constructive dialogue with the other Christian faiths.

The prime minister further said that the relations between Russia and
Greece were at a very good level, as proved by the frequency of visits,
and expressed conviction that his present visit to Russia would give
new momentum to the cooperation between the two countries in many
sectors.

Greek prime minister Costas Karamanlis stressed the dynamic development
of Greek-Russian relations, which he said were evolving into a
relationship of "strategic importance", speaking to an expanded meeting
between the Greek and Russian delegations after private meeting with
Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin on Tuesday.

Karamanlis, who arrived in Moscow on Monday evening on a three-day
official visit to Russia at Putin's invitation, expressed great
pleasure at visiting Moscow again, noting that the dynamic development
of the relations between the two countries was "found ed on the common
historical legacy of centuries, which has created unbreakable bonds
between our peoples".

The prime minister noted that 2008 would mark the 180th anniversary of
the commencement of diplomatic relations between Greece and Russia,
adding that, in that time, "Russia has actively manifestred its
solidarity on vital issues of direct interest to Gre ece".

Karamanlis also thanked Putin for Russia's "valuable, immediate and
substantial help" during the devastating wildfires that ravaged several
parts of Greece over the past summer, which he attributed to Putins
"personal intervention".

He further congratulated Putin on his United Russia's ticket recent
victory in parliamentary elections.

Putin, in turn, expressed satisfaction at this latest meeting with
Karamanlis, which he said was held in a "climate of mutual
understanding, open dialogue and constructive discussion".

The Russian president also noted the "substantial progress in bilateral
relations in all sectors", making special mention of the fact that the
volume of trade between the two countries has been increasing at a rate
of 40 percent annually in recent years.

"It is with great pleasure that I am meeting with the delegation of a
friend country with which we are bound by historical ties," Putin said,
adding that "we are certain that your visit is opening up a new page in
the relations between our two countries, and a new stage for their
future".

Greek-Russian relations "are in front of a very promising future and
with our talks today we have given further impetus to our energy
cooperation," visiting Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis said in
his address during an official dinner hosted in his
honour by Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday evening.

The signing of the agreement for the construction of the
Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline, "beyond its great economic
significance, will constitute a very important step for achieving
international energy security," Karamanlis said.

"We look forwrd to the mutually beneficial cooperation of our two
countries in other sectors as well, such as the natural gas. The
financial and trade sectors are also presenting great prospects of
cooperation," the Greek premier noted.

Karamanlis also thanked President Putin for the help Russia extended to
Greece last summer during the catastrophic wildfires, and referred to
cooperation in the defence sector which, as he said, "is broadening
through common actions."

After referring to Russia's role in resolving international issues, the
premier noted Moscow's "steadfast support to efforts for a Cyprus
solution and Russia's constructive stance in relevant UN Security
Council discussions."

He also underlined that Greek diplonacy is active towards reinforcing
the relations, of strategic character, between the European Union and
Russia, while supporting the strengthening of a NATO-Russia
cooperation.

Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis said here on Tuesday that Turkey
should realise that NATO and European Union member-states "have
specific rights as well as the possibility of exercising them fully."

Bakoyannis, who is accompanying Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis on a
three-day-official visit to Moscow, made the statement when asked to
respond to statements made earlier in Ankara by Turkish Prime Minister
Recep Tayyip Erdogan who, in the presence of visiting Former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, decried
the possibility of "Macedonia" being asked to change its name with the
promise, by NATO, of subsequent support for its request to join the
Alliance.

"On this matter, Turkey, as well as other member-countries of the
Alliance, has been briefed on when and under what conditions Greece
will exercise a right of veto. One would have expected that Turkey is
aware that member-countries of NATO as well as of t he European Union
have specific rights, as well as the possibility to exercise them
(rights) fully."

Greece sternly objects to the use of the name "Macedonia" by the
neighboring state, charging that it implies irredentist designs and is,
at best, historically misleading.

The Defence Ministers of Greece and Cyprus signed here Tuesday an
interstate agreement which addresses the issue of the ownership of the
missile systems S300, TOR M1 and SUZANA.

Cyprus Defence Minister Christodoulos Pashiardes told the press after
signing the agreement, which followed talks between the two Ministers
and their aides, that according to this agreement the Cypriot side
transfers the ownership of the S 300 missiles to
Greece in return for the ownership of two other missile systems.

"The agreement settles permanently an issue pending for many years,"
Pashiardes said.

Greek Minister of National Defence Evangelos Meimarakis said this was
an important agreement in that it resolves a long standing issue which
had troubled Athens and Nicosia for many years.

Meimarakis also noted that the joint defence pact, agreed in the early
1990s between Cyprus and Greece, is still in place.

"The agreement reached today, with all interested parties, settles a
pending issue and integrates the weaponry systems into our defences,"
he said, adding that these systems are used to safeguard stability and
peace in the broader region.

The Cypriot Defence Minister said that he had the chance to discuss
with Meimarakis about various other issues regarding the continuation
and promotion of the cooperation between the two ministries. He also
underlined the close, excellent and effective co operation between the
two ministries.

Meimarakis was received earlier in the day by Cyprus President Tassos
Papadopoulos.

The Greek government on Tuesday merely referred to a reaction by
foreign ministry spokesman George Koumoutsakos when asked to comment a
peculiar statement found on a Turkish army staff website alleging the
existence of a "minority" on the Dodecanese islan ds in the southern
Aegean.

Alternate government spokesman Evangelos Antonaros stated that the
foreign ministry on Monday issued directions to the Greek embassy in
Ankara to lodge a firm demarche with the Turkish government, adding
that Athens rarely comments on Turkish army staff a nnouncements. He
also stressed that the relationship between the military establishment
and the political leadership in Turkey is an issue that concerns the
EU.

The Greek-populated Dodecanese islands, of which the best-known are
Rhodes, Kos, Patmos, Kalymnos and Leros, among others, were annexed by
the Greek state in 1947 following a post-WWII treaty between Allied
Greece and the occupying war-time power, Italy.

President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias decorated Parliament
President Dimitris Sioufas with the Grand Cross of the Order of Honor,
during a special ceremony held Tuesday at the Presidential Mansion in
Athens.

President Papoulias congratulated Sioufas for his notable service to
the Greek people and his role in the materialization of the
Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline project during his term as minister
of development, characterizing it as a major national project.

President Papoulias also referred to Sioufas' long political career,
stressing that his work honors him and Greece, and wishing him success
in his endeavor as parliament president.

Accepting the medal, the parliament president stated that he is
honored, and stressed that throughout his political career he has put
the national interest first.

The ceremony was attended government ministers and parliament
vice-presidents.

Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Secretary-General Aleka Papariga on
Tuesday met with the board of the Union of Municipalities and
Communities of Greece (KEDKE).

In statements after the meeting, Papariga called on the government "to
give back the money it owes to local government."

She said that "most of this money are institutionalized funds which
have been withheld and the state is obliged to give it to local
government."

At the same time, the KKE leader raised the obligations of local
government "to pay the permanent or temporary employees, or other
social programs, such as the programme 'help at home',"which must be
broadened and not simply be a selective policy in the p oor
neighbourhoods."

Greece and Russia on Tuesday signed a Protocol on establishing the
international project development company for the
Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline project, shortly before the
commencement of formal talks between visiting Greek prime minister
Costas Karamanlis and his host, Russian president Vladimir Putin, in
Moscow.

The Protocol was signed by development minister Christos Folias, who is
accompanying Karamanlis on his three-day official visit to Russia, and
general director of the Greek consortium "Bapline" (comprising Hellenic
Petroleum-HELPE S.A. and Thraki S.A.) Ch ristos Dimas on behalf of
Greece, general director of the Burgas-Alexandroupolis Pipeline
Consortium (joint venture of the Russian Transneft, Rosneft and Gazprom
Neft) Dmitri Yievstratov on behalf of Russia, and chairman of the
board of the Project Compa ny Burgas-Alexandroupolis BG Stefan Gunchev
on behalf of Bulgaria.

In statements after the signing of the Protocol, Folias said that it
was "a special day", adding that a new era was being launched not only
in energy relations among Russia, Bulgaria and Greece, but also at many
more levels.

"We are know with the shovels in hand," Folias said, adding that the
establishment of the project development company "that will materialise
the vision of our leaders" had been set in motion.

He expressed deep conviction that the projects will have commenced by
the end of summer 2008, adding that the pace launched was "very fast".

Russian deputy industry and energy minister Andrei Dementiev, who
attended the signing ceremony, was equally optimistic in his
statements, noting that "it is a project that had been much delayed,
and now everything is ready for the commencement of constru ction in
2008", and adding his optimism that the details still outstanding would
be ironed out quickly, so that materialisation of the project could
proceed at a fast pace.

According to the Protocol, the international company will be
headquartered in the Netherlands.

After the signing ceremony, the Greek and Russian officials went to the
Kremlin to join Karamanlis and Putin in a broad meeting following a
private discussion between the two leaders.

Economy and Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis on Tuesday addressed
in Parliament on Tuesday the six-day debate on the 2008 state budget
which began on Sunday and ends on Friday with a vote.

"The 2008 state budget constitutes a new start for us to confront many
of the difficulties which persist both in the Greek economy and the
Greek society," Alogoskoufis said.

At the same time, he noted that "the citizens are asking of the New
Democracy (ND) government to continue speeding up its reform program,"
while he strongly criticized the main opposition PASOK party that "it
has remained stuck to the impasses of past dec ades."

"The government of (Prime Minister) Costas Karamanlis proves daily the
credibility of its policy. To the blurred picture which is presented by
the main opposition, the government counter-presents the clearness of
its policy, with its sincerity and credibi lity, implementing its
commitments. With a program and plan without surprises, we are creating
a new impetus. The government's policy has already borne fruit,"
Alogoskoufis added.

"With targeted initiatives we are strengthening social cohesion, we are
giving an impetus to employment, entrepreneurship, investments,
regional convergence, while we are safeguarding, despite the galloping
increase in the price of oil, the rate of growth
which is one of the greatest in the Eurozone," Alogoskoufis said.

Regarding his ministry's work, Liapis noted that the year 2008 "is the
year of the New Acropolis Museum," where a UNESCO international
conference will be held in March for the return to Greece of
antiquities. Within the same framework the already postpone d effort
for the return of the stolen antiquities to Greece is intensified. At
the same time, new exhibitions of the archaeological museum are being
organized and the planning starts of its underground expansion and the
conclusion of the work at the Tsill er Mansion of the National Theatre,
so that the next winter season to find the actors of the National
Theatre, again at their historic base."

"Within the immediate coming days a committee will be set up for the
modernization of the legislative framework for cinema, comprised by
important personalities of the field, with international range," Liapis
noted.

"The National Library and the National Opera House acquire new
buildings, while new taxation motives for the strengthening of the
institution of grants are introduced. The first priority continues to
be the restoration of the natural environment in Olympi a, with the
anti-flooding safeguarding to have been completed by January 15," the
minister added.

Finally, the draft law for the abolition of violence in soccer stadiums
is being concluded, which instutionalizes "Fans' Clubs" that will
operate under the control, supervision and responsibility of the teams.
"That is, they will constitute an internal pa rt of the teams so as to
facilitate the real friends of sport," Liapis said.

Tourism Development Minister Aris Spiliotopoulos on Tuesday evening
addressed in Parliament the debate on the 2008 state budget.

"If the New Democracy (ND) government has made a mistake, it is because
it has placed the bar quite high, particularly in the sectors of
reforms. However, we are determined to proceed with speed and
boldness," Spiliotopoulos said.

"Our national bet on tourism does not concern numbers but quality and
in this intention we are determined to respond immediately and
effectively. In 2020 world tourism in number of arrivals will be double
the present and 1.5 billion people will visit some
other country as tourists. Greece will not remain a non-participant in
these challenges," the tourism development minister added.

At a press conference, he stressed that the procedures for handing out
to private interests part of the ports' activities, which, as he
underlined, will maintain their public character, will be completed by
the first half of 2008. The sellings will be mad e through an
international tender.

Voulgarakis mainly referred to the ports of Piraeus and Thessaloniki
and stressed that for the former, the best model is the granting of a
part of the Cargo section (SEMPO) and particularly of the existing pier
II and of the future pier III, with parallel
activity of the Piraeus Port Authority in pier I. For the second port,
he said the best model is the total concession of SEMPO.

Regarding the workers at the two ports, the minister said that through
the procedure they have the right to choose voluntary retirement, in
the case when they are nearing the pension age, or their transfer to
the public sector.

Federation of Greek Industries (SEB) president Dimitris Daskalopoulos
predicted higher inflation and a lower growth rate for the Greek
economy in 2008, warning that "we have difficult days ahead of us",
speaking at a press conference on Tuesday.

"Self-sufficient societies choose 'forward escape' in such periods. Any
other choice leads to impasse. If we don't move ahead quickly, we will
sink," Daskalopoulos said.

Asked to comment on the change of leadership at the employment
ministry, with the appointment of Fani Palli-Petralia to the helm
following the resignation of Vassilis Magginas, the SEB leader said it
was positive that the prime minister had displayed sens itivity on an
issue of moral order, but added that the reform of the social security
system was not an issue of faces, but one of change of approach.

He added, however, that the change of face at the ministry offered an
opportunity for a new beginning.

Main opposition PASOK party leader George Papandreou on Tuesday toured
the main offices of state-run Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation
(OTE) in northern Athens, where he met with the telecoms utility's
management and the employees' representatives.

During the meetings, the one-time foreign minister expressed his
party's support for keeping the telephony company under state control.

Addressing OTE personnel, he stated that he shares their concerns over
OTE's future, stressing that the company has played a decisive role in
the modernisation of the Greek economy and the country's technological
development.

He stated that OTE's investments were also very successful, pointing
out that the listed company should remain an essential "tool" in the
hands of the Greek state in efforts focusing on the country's
advancement in the sectors of technology, information, communication
and telecommunications.

The trade unions of professionals and journalists are escalating their
warning strike action, reacting to the planned unification of their
social security funds.

Lawyers, doctors, pharmacists, engineers and journalists will hold a
24-hour warning strike on Wednesday, December 19, while on Thursday,
according to decisions by each of the sectors, they will either hold a
work stoppage or a 24-hour strike.

ANA-MPA news services will be off-line between 6 a.m. Wednesday and 6
a.m. Thursday, and from 12:00 noon to 15:00 on Thursday, in
participation in the 24-hour strike on Wednesday and a three-hour
work-stoppage on Thursday in the media sector.

At 11 a.m. on Wednesday, the strikers will gather in central Athens and
then march to the employment ministry and Parliament to submit
resolutions with their demands.

The Public Power Corporation (PPC) in an announcement on Tuesday said
that the confidential talks for the signing of a cooperation memorandum
between the German company RWE and PPC are continuing.

According to the PPC, the memorandum of cooperation will be tabled for
debate and approval at the PPC's board meeting on Thursday. The
memorandum of cooperation will be signed providing it is approved by
the boards of the two sides.

Main opposition PASOK head of the party's Development Department,
Mihalis Hrysohoidis, in a statement on Tuesday said that "the sudden
return of the matter of the PPC's cooperation with the German company
RWE at the PPC's board meeting on Thursday causes logical concern to
consumers and workers, because the government is maintaining with its
moves and conduct a hidden agenda for the future, for the strategic
cooperations and role which it plans for the PPC within the framework
of the electric energy marke t."

Greek stocks ended higher at the Athens Stock Exchange on Tuesday,
pushing the composite index of the market slightly above the
5,000-level. The index increased by 1 pct to end at 5,020.19 points,
with turnover a low 394.01 million euros, of which 77.1 mi llion euros
were block trades.

Futures contract prices ended upwards in the Athens Derivatives
Exchange on Tuesday, with turnover jumping to aspectacular 509.947
million euros. The December contract on the FTSE 20 index was traded at
a fair price and the December contract on the FTSE 4 0 index at a
premium of 0.38 percent.

Volume in futures contracts on the Big Cap index totaled 31,780
contracts worth 418.283 million euros, with 35,144 open positions in
the market, while on the Mid Cap index volume was 741 contracts worth
22.886 million euros with 981 open positions.

Turnover in the Greek electronic secondary bond market totaled 1.903
billion euros on Tuesday, of which 805 billion were buy orders and the
remaining 1,098 billion euros were sell orders. The 10-year benchmark
bond (July 20, 2017) was the most heavily tra ded security with a
turnover of 527 million euros. The yield spread between the 10-year
Greek and German bonds was at 0.32 percent, with the Greek bond
yielding 4.61 pct and the German Bund 4.29 pct.

In the domestic interbank market, interest rates moved slightly
downwards. National Bank's overnight rate was 3.77 percent from 4.02,
the two-day rate stood at 3.82 percent from 4,02 per cent, the
one-month rate stood at 4.52 percent from 4.92 per cent an d the
12-month rate fell to 4.84 percent from 4.93 per cent.

Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister George Souflias on
Tuesday noted that the Greek government will meet Kyoto Protocol
objectives regarding the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, while
he announced that Greece will double reduction l evels on the 150
industries operating in the country in the period 2008-2012.

Based on the initial plan forwarded to the European Union, a projected
gas emission reduction was 8.9 percent, whereas now it will be raised
16.6 percent.

"The increase was the result of consultations with the EU, considering
that the EU has decided gas emission cuts of 20 percent by 2020,"
Souflias said.

"Greece, within the framework of the Kyoto Protocol, has undertaken a
commitment that the average greenhouse gas emissions increase in the
period 2008-2012 will not exceed 25 percent compared to 1990," he said,
adding: "Based on the national plan that has
received EU approval, the gas emissions increase will exceed 25
percent until 2007 with a gradual reduction until 2012 that will
result from the measures already adopted".

Moreover, additional measures have been adopted to tackle the climate
change such as intensification of inspections, promotion of renewable
sources of energy, operational plans against air pollution in major
urban centers, natural gas use and environmenta lly friendly
transportation means.

Souflias stated that this is a complete policy that will help the
country meet the Kyoto Protocol objectives, stressing that it is
unthinkable to accept that there are no measures that can tackle
climate change.

Referring to the UN Conference on Climate Change, held recently in
Bali, he underlined that a last-minute compromise allows for optimism.

Non-EU foreign nationals with residence permits in Greece number
481,501, according to mid-October figures announced by the interior
ministry on Tuesday on the occasion of World Migrants Day.

Foreign nationals currently living and working in Greece are estimated
at between one million and 1.07 million people. A total of roughly
370,000 illegal immigrants took advantage of a first legalisation
scheme in 1998, while an additional 350,000 acquire d legal status in
2001, the government said.

Meanwhile, many former legal residents from eastern Europe (primarily
Polish nationals) left the country for other EU states upon their home
country's accession to the European Union. Based on the EU-established
Migrant Integration Policy Index in 2004, t he job market in Greece is
regarded as uncertain for migrants.

The gradual opening of the European job market to Bulgarian and
Romanian nationals -- the two countries became EU members in 2007 -- is
expected to reduce the number of migrants from former eastern European
countries. On the contrary, the continuous attem pts of mostly Third
World foreign nationals from Asia and the sub-Saharan Africa to reach
the country is expected to raise their numbers in the illegal job
market, as their legalisation appears impossible under current
conditions, a relevant report stated
.

The overwhelming majority of migrants are young people aged between 19
and 40, constituting 56 percent (268,324) of legal migrants, while 17
percent are second generation children of migrants (80,860).

Regarding the education of non-EU foreign nationals, 13.4 percent are
tertiary education graduates, 59.3 percent have secondary education,
16.2 percent have finished grade school and 9.2 percent have little or
no schooling.

Roughly 5 percent of legal migrants are home owners and their average
family income is 1,550 euros, 28 percent lower than the average Greek
family income. About 20.5 percent of their income is spent on food and
non-alcoholic beverages; 19.6 percent on hou sing, water bills, fuel,
electricity, and 10.6 percent on transportation.

Roughly 32 percent of all legal migrants work in construction; 20.5
percent are females employed as household help; 12.8 percent are
employed in manufacturing; 11.6 percent in commerce and repair work;
8.2 percent in hospitality and restaurants, as well a s 6 percent in
the agriculture.

Uninsured migrants correspond to roughly 13 percent of overall migrant
population, compared to local uninsured workers, who correspond to 4
percent of the workforce.

Four defendants accused in a shocking child molestation case in the
working-class Ilion district of west Athens were led Tuesday before an
examining magistrate to face multiple felony and misdemeanor charges.

The case of alleged sexual exploitation of three children, two brothers
aged 8 and 9 and their 11-year-old sister, by their 33-year-old mother
came to light last Friday.

Called to appear before the magistrate are the mother of the children,
her partner, an 83-year-old pensioner and a local priest, the latter
two charged with rape.

The grandmother, who won custody of the children after complaining to
authorities that one of the boys was being sexually abused, will also
testify.

The eleven reforms in the social security system that enter into effect
as of Jan.1 2008, Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis' and Russian
president Vladimir Putin's agreements over energy and defence
contracts, the dozens of unlicenced houses all over Greec e and the
National Railway Organisation's (OSE) deficit, dominated front-page
headlines on Tuesday in Athens' newspapers.

ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "Cutbacks in pensions from New Year's Day".

APOGEVMATINI: "11 changes in social security system due to a former
government's (PASOK) bill."

VIMA: "Government now promises smooth changes in social security - A
challenge for new Employment Minister Fani Palli-Petralia"

VRADYNI: "11 changes in pensions due to gradual implementation of bills
ratified in the past (under PASOK governments)".

We wish to inform the readers of the English Daily News Bulletin that
the bulletin will not be published on Thursday, December 20, in view of
a 24-hour strike on Wednesday declared by the Athens Journalists Union
(ESHEA) in protest over the country's soci al security system. The next
edition of the bulleting will appear on Friday, December 21.